The human rights organization, Karapatan, together with the Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at para sa Amnestiya (SELDA), Hustisya! and the families of the Desaparecidos, today observes the International Day In Solidarity with Victims of Torture with a protest action in front of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA). NICA IS one of…
Category: Press Releases and Statements
Fil-Am Melissa Roxas to Speak Publicly About Abduction, Torture in Philippines
LOS ANGELES, CA – In her first public appearance since being released from captivity, Melissa Roxas, a U.S. citizen abducted and tortured in the Philippines from May 19-25, will hold a press conference to describe the human rights abuses she endured while held for six days in an alleged military camp. Ms. Roxas, an American…
Tobacco farmers urge Congress to pass new tobacco tax measure
Tobacco farmers belonging to Solidarity of Peasants Against Exploitation (STOP-Exploitation) based in the Ilocos region urged their congressmen to support the bill that seeks to modify the taxes imposed on tobacco and liquor in the country. Avelino Dacanay, Chairman of STOP-Exploitation also urged the legislators coming from the Northern Luzon provinces to stop blocking the…
Abduction, Torture Convinced Me of Value of Freedom, Human Rights — Melissa Roxas
Dear Friends of Melissa Roxas, We are sending this to you on behalf of Melissa Roxas because you either expressed concern over Melissa’s abduction and torture in the Philippines last month or she provided email addresses of her friends she wanted updated now that she is back in Los Angeles. If you are hearing about…
Torture Survivor Turns Over a New Leaf as He Weds Sweetheart, Vows to Continue Fighting for Justice
MANILA — Today, June 20, members of the organizations of victims and relatives of victims of human rights violations, Desaparecidos and Hustisya! as well as the human rights alliance, KARAPATAN, turned out in a jubilant mood to show their support to the wedding of torture survivor Raymond Manalo, and his sweetheart, Kristel Alminiana, in a…
Falling Remittances Foretell Gloomier Consumption, Growth
Remittance from overseas Filipinos continued to slow in with year-on-year growth of just 2.2% in April which is down from 3.1% in March and 4.9% in February, according to newly-released data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). According to research group IBON, this foretells further depressed consumption and growth in the economy, as well…
After SC ruling dismissing Lozano, Biraogo petitions, Arroyo and allies to force situation, solon warns
After the Supreme Court’s ruling junking the petitions seeking to nullify House Resolution (HR) 1109 calling for a constituent assembly (Con-ass) to amend the charter even without the Senate, a militant lawmaker called on the people to remain vigilant saying “this will surely incite Ms Arroyo’s allies to force the situation and convene her self-serving…
‘IALAG Abolition Not Enough; Drop Fabricated Charges Now!”
Detained peasant leader Randall Echanis today said President Macapagal-Arroyo’s so-called order abolishing the dreaded Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG) is not enough and urging the President to drop all charges against its victims. Reports said that the President has abolished the controversial IALAG that has been criticized by militant and cause-oriented groups for allegedly harassing…
Philippines: Another Victim of Impunity
Impunity is alive and well in the Philippines and has claimed the life of another journalist. On Tuesday, a lone assassin shot and stabbed dead radio commentator Crispin Perez of radio station dwDO outside his home in San Jose City, Occidental Mindoro province. He was the third journalist murdered this year and the 65th since…
Makabayan Warns of People-Power Backed, Minority-Led Mutiny
The newly-formed Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan) today aired the possibility of a People Power-backed, minority-led mutiny in Congress if the House leadership insists on convening Congress into a constituent assembly under House Resolution 1109. Makabayan, which includes incumbent opposition party list groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela and Kabataan said massive protests and street actions…
Environmental Groups to Join Anti-ConAss Rally in Ayala
Hours before the “Stop Gloria’s Con-Ass” Rally, environmentalists, scientists and indigenous peoples organizations will position themselves in front of Ninoy Aquino Monument and make rounds in Ayala and Buendia Avenue. This is to urge office workers and professionals in the area to join the big mobilization today against Charter Change (Cha-cha) through Constituent Assembly (Con-ass).…